Tim Henman and Laura Robson react as ‘incredible’ Carlos Alcaraz secures year-end number one in Turin

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Carlos Alcaraz beat Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets to secure the year-end number one ranking in Turin.

The Spanish star needed to win his three group stage matches to guarantee himself the top spot over his biggest rival, Jannik Sinner.

Taking down Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz, and Musetti, Alcaraz finished as year-end number one for the second time in his career (first in 2022).

During Sky Sports’ coverage of the match, former British stars Tim Henman and Laura Robson weighed in on Alcaraz’s latest achievement.

Tim Henman and Laura Robson praise ‘brilliant’ Carlos Alcaraz as he finishes 2025 on top

Henman was impressed with the way Alcaraz handled the pressure against Musetti.

“I thought it was an incredible performance tonight, because not only was his level of play so consistent, but I thought his focus, even when he missed a few forehands or played a poor dropshot, he was just so focused on the next point,” he said.

“To hear him talk about playing with that pressure of the world number ranking, that emphasises why it was such a brilliant performance.”

Whatever happens from here on in Turin, Alcaraz will finish 2025 as the year-end number one.

Live ATP Rankings

However, the debate of whether Sinner would have finished number-one if he hadn’t served a three-month suspension could well rage on…

While some may question Alcaraz’s credibility as world number one, Robson certainly won’t.

“From the first point, you saw the intensity he had in his game, and his reaction at the end said it all,” she said.

“Obviously, he’s thinking about the year-end ranking, trying not to focus on it too much, knows he had to deliver, but not often do you see just an outpour of emotion from him after such a straightforward win, 6-4, 6-1.

“They’re showing it on the big screen, announcing it to the crowd, there’s still not that much applause, I have to say. Come on, guys, he deserves it!”

She proceeded to analyse some of the statistics from Alcaraz’s win over Musetti.

“It’s a good day if your winners are up way ahead of your unforced errors. 26 to 21, for Musetti to only hit the eight winners, played a huge part,” said Robson.

“He just couldn’t get any purchase in the baseline rallies. Again, those net points won, 18 out of 19, was just putting lethal pressure on his opponent today. 

“A fitting performance, one that we’ve seen many a time now from the world number one.”

Robson also shared the biggest difference between the two players she noticed during the match.

“The miles per hour difference on the backhand side really stood out for me,” she said.

“The fact that Alcaraz is able to use that as an aggressive shot, meanwhile, Musetti was having to dip into the slice, going to the dropshot all too much.

“You wonder how different it could’ve been had his legs been a lot fresher. Given how tired he was going into the week as a whole, let alone today, it was always going to be a tough ask.”

Musetti will now have time to rest up while Alcaraz turns his attention to the semifinals.

Who will Carlos Alcaraz play in the ATP Finals semifinals?

Winning the Jimmy Connors Group, Alcaraz will take on the Bjorn Borg group runner-up in the semifinals.

That will be either Felix Auger-Aliassime or Alexander Zverev, depending on who wins their upcoming group stage match.

Bjorn Borg group standings

Alcaraz knows he will play one of the two, but who has he enjoyed more success against on the ATP Tour throughout his career so far?

Carlos Alcaraz’s head-to-head record vs his potential semifinal opponents

• Carlos Alcaraz (6-6) Alexander Zverev
• Carlos Alcaraz (4-3) Felix Auger-Aliassime

The Spaniard leads the combined head-to-head 10-9, as his semifinal match promises to be a close encounter.

Alcaraz will play either Auger-Aliassime or Zverev in the ATP Finals semifinals on Saturday, November 15.